Passable means barely satisfactory or able to be passed. We sat through a passable performance of “Hamlet” last night. Whether the roads are passable depends on the weather. Passible, a theological term, means capable of feeling or suffering. Some believe that God does suffer and is therefore passible.
Category: Confusing Words
Difference between Partially and Partly
Partially means to a certain degree or extent. The company partially shut down for two weeks to save energy. Partly means not completely. Doctors feel genetics can be partly to blame for mental illness.
Difference between Partake and Participate
You partake of something and you participate in something. After participating in the tournament, we wanted to partake of some refreshments.
Difference between Parlay and Parley
Parlay means to bet one’s winnings over again. It can also mean to exploit something into something more valuable. He parlayed his blackjack winnings into enough money to pay for all his expenses. Using an infomercial, he parlayed a simple invention into a national bestseller. Parley, as a verb, means to confer with an enemy, […]
Difference between Paramount and Tantamount
Paramount means primary or top. Customer satisfaction is the paramount concern of our staff. Tantamount means equivalent to or the same as. The general’s action is tantamount to a declaration of peace.
Difference between Parameter and Perimeter
Parameter is a quantity or mathematical variable that stays constant. The applet is modified by using the parameters in the file. Perimeter is the outer boundary of an area. The dog never leaves the perimeter of the yard.
Difference between Paltry and Petty
Paltry means meager, trivial, or measly. The company made a paltry contribution to the fund this year. Petty means minor, trifling, or of little importance. The rules apply in petty offenses and other misdemeanor cases.
Difference between Palm off and Pawn off
Palm off, meaning to deceive or defraud someone with something inferior, is the correct expression. The phrase probably originated with agicians, who typically use their palms to hide items during tricks. They had no right to palm off those damaged school buses on the other school districts.
Difference between Palate, Palette and Pallet
Palate is the roof of your mouth. A cleft palate is a common birth defect. Palette is a hand-held board that an artist uses for mixing paint. His palette contains red, green, and yellow paint. Pallet is a flat platform on which goods are loaded. Several pallets at the warehouse contain new DVD players.
Difference between Overweening and Overwhelming
Overweening means conceited, overbearing, or pretentious. We feel his overweening ego would not fit with the rest of us. Overwhelming means overpowering in effect or strength. Doctors feel the artificial heart is an overwhelming success.
Difference between Overlook and Oversee
Overlook means to fail to notice, to disregard, or to ignore. We overlooked the fact that he failed to win the big game. Oversee means to direct, supervise, or manage. He was hired to oversee the manufacturing site.
Difference between Overdo and Overdue
Overdo means to do in excess. I’ll try not to overdo the caffeine, which is my weakness. Overdue refers to the past time when something is due. His rent was overdue by three months.